Air-brush.



S. J. HEINRICH.

AIR BRUSH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR,13, 1917.

1 72,438. Patented July 16, 1918.

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25 'lbz'iizesa, fizven 2'03. M 2M0 @W again" with facility rep UNITED STATES PATENT orFicE.

STEPHEN J. HEINRICH, 0F NEWTON HI EGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Application filed March 13, 1917. Serial No. 154,572.

of the concentricjet type adapted to project a cone-shaped spray by forcing a current of air through an orifice surrounding a liquid delivery orifice.

My device is primarily designed and intended for delivering heavy, viscous materials, such for instance as cellulosesolutions, which have very volatile solvents and which rapidly evaporate and cause a hardening of the material'on and consequent clogging of the working parts of the device.

Air brushes used with such quick drying solutions become quickly clogged after use if the solution is permitted to remain in the liquid orifice and associated parts and, as heretofore constructed, must becompletely dismantled in order to obtain access to the small liquid and air orifices to enable a Wire or other cleaningtool to be inserted therein to remove the solidified matter and to permit that part of the brush bearin the nozzles to be immersed in a cleaning SOEltlOIl. 7

Such a complete dismantling of the brush consumes an inordinate amount of time. Moreover, after being reassembled it is necessary to readjust the brush for the proper amount of air and liquid flow, which is a matter of considerable difficulty.

An object of my inventionis in the provision of an air brush in which the parts liable to become clogged may be easily and quickly removed from the main body of the brush for cleaning pur oses, and thereafter laced in their former osition.

A f1; ther object of the invention is in the provisiomof such a brush in which'the removalof' the above named parts does not affect the initial adjustment of the air and liquid nozzles and in which, upon the replacement of the detailed part or parts, the brush will be again conditioned in its original adjustment.

' The means whereby arrangement of the brush body, or frame, bearing the air and liquid nozzles, with the main body or standard of the brush, whereby, upon the loosening of a set screw, the brush body may be removed for cleaning or other purposes. The liquid flow adjusting rod may be secured to the main body of the brush, and as its adjustment is not disturbed by the detaching of the brush body, the ad' justment of the liquid flow is in no way altered .or chan d during such detachment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for adjusting the regulatingmeans by which the maximum volume of material issuing from the" delivery orifice may be determined, and the provision of other means of adjustment, whereby the volume of material issuing from the delivery orifice, less than maximum, may be variably controlled.

Figure 1- is a side elevation of an air brush embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same.

Ten (10) indicates any suitable receptacle adapted to contain the liquid to be sprayed, and 12 its cover. Thirteen (13) represents a standard erected on the cover 19., adapted to support the operating parts. Said standard is or may be hollow, and in open commun1ca-.

tion with the receptacle, particularly for cheapness in manufacture.

Said standard has rigidly secured to its upper end a: support for the frame bearing the spraying nozzles. Said support Will now be described. Fifteen (15) represents a barrel or outer-tube, which is horizontally arranged, standard, intermediate its length. Said outer tube has concentrically arranged within it an inner tube 16, which extends throughoutits' length, and preferably projects therefrom at its front end. Said inner tube has concentrically arranged within it a regulatand has its connection with the- I accomplish these objects of my lnvention is in the detachable detacha ing valve-rod 17. These three elements are adapted to be held in fixed relation to each other, although the rod 17 is adapted to be adjusted longitudinally. The outer tube 15 has an internal boss 18, with a center-hole through it to snugly fit the inner'tube l6, and said boss projects from the outer tube at the under side to fit the opening in the top of the standard, thus closing said opening and attaching the outer tube to the standard.

As here shown, a cylindrical hollow head 19 is provided, and one end of the outer tube 15 is extended over the end of said head for a short distance, and the corresponding end of the inner tube 16 is screwed into a recess in the head, and the valve-rod 1.7 is screwed into or otherwise fixedl connected with the end of the head, all as llustratedin Fig. 2.

By rotating thehead its threaded recess willturii on the end of theinner tube, and the outer-tube will slide freely along on the outside of the head, and the valve-rod will be moved longitudinally in a direction according to the direction of rotation of ihe head. The valve-rod 17 has arranged on it, at an intermediate point, a cylindrical block 20, which snugly fits the interior of the inner tube, and said block may be arranged to slide in said inner tube when the rod is adjusted lon itudinally.

ffwenty-five liquid delivery tube, which extends upward from the interior-of the rece tacle through the standard 13, and the wal s of the outer and inner tubes, terminating at the interior of the inner tube, so that the interior of the inner tube is in open communication with the receptacle, and the liquid material contained in the receptacle is free to pass to the interior of said inner tube.

The movable frame brush body bearing the sprayin nozzle is adapted for slldlng and leengagement with the aforesaid support, and said movable frame will now be described.

Thirty (30) represents a tubular portion adapted -for sliding engagement with the outer tube 15, of the support, it being arranged on the end-portion of said outertube and movable longitudinally relative thereto, and its longitudinal movement is limited by a screw 31, extended through a boss 32, on said tubular portion and into or through a slot 33, formed in the wall of the outer tube. Said tubular portion has at its forward end a hollow conical nozzle 35. Said tubular member also has arranged within it a cylindrical block 36, at a point intermediate its length, which serves as a support for it and for the inner tubular member to be described, which block has a passage 37, throughit for the air, and said block is or may be connected or formed integral thus supporting said rod at such point,

(25) represents a cylindrical 41, adapted for connection with an air supply pipe, flexible,

if desired, and has'an air passage through it in open communication with said recess 40. Thus the air may pass through the nipple and recess and valvecontrolled passage, and the passages 39, 37, to the interior of the outer tubular member of the support and to the hollow conical nozzle"35.

Forty-five (45) represents a valve which is provided for controlling the air passage. It is arranged in the recess 40, and has stems 46, '47, extended, respectively, in opposite ways from it. The stem 46 extends outward through the portion 38, and has a head 49,

adapted to be engaged by a finger, to move the valve in one direction; and the stem 47 extends rearward into a recess 50, formedin a bearing member 51; and a spring 59 is arranged on said stem 47, between the valve proper and the bearing member, the tendency of which is to mally hold the Valve in closed position, so that the air passage is normally closed. As an additional sliding support for the movable frame the bearing member 51 may be made to project rearward, and enter a correspondingly shaped socket 55, in aguidingmember 56, supported upon the standard.

The movable frame has an inner tubular member 60, arranged concentrically to the outer tubularmember and adapted for slid-.

mg enfigagement with the inner tube 16, it being tted on the end-portion thereof, and said inner tubular member has at its outer end a hollow conical nozzle 61, for the liquid, which is arranged within the conical nozzle 35, and air orifice is provided between said nozzles, at their outer ends, so that the air which is forcibly projected from said orifice will draw the liquid through the delivery orifice of the conical nozzle 61. Said conical nozzle 61 is screwed onto the end-portion of the inner tubular member and against a circular plate 62, which latter is arranged between the end of the outer tubular member and a shoulder on the interior of the conical nozzle 35. A needle-valve 70, which serves as a regulating valve for theliquid delivery orifice is formed on the valve-rod 17, and is adjustable therewith for the purpose of controlling the volume of liquid material which is delivered from the liquid orifice by a movement toward and from said orifice. The plate 62 has a hole 63 through it to admit of the passage of air.

The movable frame, as a whole, is spring expand and norso related thereto that a circular controlled, and, as here shown, a spring 75 is arranged between the inner and outer tubes, one end bearing against the block 36, and the other end against the boss 18, and the tendency of said spring is to expand and thrust the movable part in an outward direction, which movement is limited by the screw 31 engaging the forward end of the slot 83. Movement of said frame in the other direction is limited by the screw 31 engaging the otherend of the slot.

By the construction above described, in which all connections between the movable frame or brush body and the brush support are by sliding joints and the frame is secured to the support only bythe set screw 31, it may be seen that, by the simple unloosening of said set screw, whereby its lower end is withdrawn from engagement with the slot 33 in the support, the movable frame or brush body may be detached from the support. As said frame or brush support bears both the air and liquid nozzles, it is a simple matter to immerse it in a. cleaning solution to dissolve the solidified spraying material or to permit'a cleaning tool to be passed through the liquid orifice.

- The movable frame or brush body may be again secured to the brush support by merely sliding the frame or brush body over the support and tightening the set screw, whereupon the brush is again conditioned for operation.

The removal of the movable frame or brush body from its support and its replacement thereon does not affect the initial adjustment of the flow of liquid from the brush because, as the liquid regulating valve or rod 17 is secured to the brush support, its adjustment is in no way affected by the detachment of the movable frame or brush bodyfand when said frame or brush body is replaced in engagement with the support,

the liquid orifice 61 and the valve portion 70- of the rod 17 again resume their former relative positions.

The arrangement of the parts of the air brush, in ,which th'e liquid orifice is normally open to its maximum extent is an advantage in thatv there is but little liability. of the orifice and needle valve becoming stuck together by the spraying liquid as it dries in the brush, because of the comparatively great distance between the needle valve and the inner wall of the liquid nozzle, as is the. case with brushes in which the needle valve is normally set for a minimum liquid discharge, and-in which the needle valve, in consequence. is almosttouchingthe inner wall of the liquid nozzle.

One way of operating the device is as follows q j i Y The device may. be grasped by the hand,

'the' middle finger resting on the head 46 valve may be opened more or less according to the volume of air desired. If the area to be covered by the spray, or less material is required, a pull upon the lever with the forefinger is the result, with the part being moved as a unit, so that the needle valve 70 more or less closes the liquid orifice, for it will be understood that as the needle approaches the liquid orifice the volume of liquid delivered is less, the decreasing amount being gradual as the movable part, including the liquid orifice, is moved relative to the needle. When a large number of arti cle's of certain dimensions are to be sprayed, the needle will be adjusted by the head 18, so that the movable part may be moved rearward its full distance, or until the screw engages the end of the slot which, of course, is an easy matter for moving said parts, moment more'liquid may be delivered by permitting said movable part to move forward from its rearmost position.

I claim: a 1. In an air brush, a frame bearing air and liquid sprayin nozzles, a support for said frame, a regu ating valve on said support and extended into said spraying nozzles, said frame being movably related to its support whereby the spraying nozzles are movable toward and from the regulating valve. 2. In an air brush, a frame bearing air and liquid spraying nozzles, a support for said frame, a regulatingvali'e on said support and extended into said spraying nozzles, and adjusting means for said valve, said frame being movably related to its support whereby the spraying nozzles are movable toward and fromthe regulating valve.

3. In an 'air brush, a frame bearing the s raying nozzles arranged for connection with an air supply, a support for said frame arranged for connection with a liquid supbut it will be understood that at any ply, a regulating valveon said support and arranged for connection with a. liquid supply, a regulatin valve arranged on the support and exten ing into said spraying nozzles', and adjusting-means therefor, said frame being movably related to its support therefrom,

whereby its spraying nozzles are movable toward and from the regulating valve to vary the discharge of liquid from the brush.

5. In an air brush, a support arranged for connection with a liquid supply, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles and arranged for connection with an air supply, and a needle rod on said support'which projects the needle of which is arranged adjacent the spraying nozzles, said frame bearing the spraying nozzles being movably arranged on its support to vary the position I of the nozzles with respect to the needle rod.

6. In an air brush, a support arranged for connection .With a liquid supply, a movable frame bearing the spraying nozzles and arranged for slidable movement with said support to vary the discharge of liquid from the brush and for connection with an air supply, and a needle rod arranged on said support which projects forward, its needle bleing arranged adjacent thespraying noz- 2 es.

7. In an air brush, a frame bearing the.

spraying nozzles, a support for said. frame, a needle rod on sald support havingits needle arranged adjacent the spraying nozzles,

and adjusting-means for said rod, said frame being movably related to its support whereby the spraying nozzles are movable toward and from the needle rod to vary the discharge of liquid-from the brush.

8. In an air brush, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles, a support for said frame, said frame being movably related to said support, an expansive spring arranged between said frame and its support, and means arranged on the frame adapted for manual engagement y which said frame may be moved against the force of said spring, and a regulating valve on the support with r spect to which the spraying nozzles are moved by the frame.

' 9. In an air brush, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles arranged for connection with an air supply, a support for said frame arranged for connection with a liquid supply, a regulating valve on said support, said frame-being movable on the support to vary the position of the regulating valve with respect to the spraying nozzles, and itsjoint connection with the support being arranged in front'of the liquid inlet, whereby the liquid material will engage the joint-connection.

'10. In an air brush, a support arranged for connection with a liquid supply, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles, and arranged for connection with an air supply, said frame being removably mounted on said 7 support, and a regulating valve on said support which projects therefrom, and has its needle. adapted to be arrangedadjacent the spraying-"nozzles.

-valve arranged on the air passage weirdly-extended portion, having a head arfor connection with an air supply, said frame being removably mounted on said support and adapted for sliding engagement therewith, and a regulating valve on said support which projects therefrom and has its needle adapted to be arranged adjacent. the spraying nozzles. I

12. In an air brush, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles having a tubular portion, a support for said framecomprising .two concentrically disposed tubes, the outer tube being adapted to receive upon it the tubular portion of theframe, an adjustable head on the rear ends of said tubes, a needle rod arranged in the inner tube and secured to said head,'the needle of which is arranged adjacent the spraying nozzles, said frame being movable with relation to its su port to-move the spraying nozzles toward and from the needle rod.

13. In an air brush, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles, a support therefor, a liquid regulating having a downwardly-extended portion with an air passage throughout its length, and'adapted for connection with an air supply, and a spring-controlled controlling-valve arranged in said air passage havextended engaging-head by' ing a laterally which to operate it.

v 14. In an air brush, a frame bearing the spraying nozzles, a support therefor, a standard bearing said support, a liquid said support, saidframe having a downwardly-extended portion with an air passage throughout its length and adapted for connection with anair supply, and having arearward bearing portion arranged for engagement with a bearing portion on the standard, a controlling-valve for arranged on said downranged to beengaged by the finger when said downwardly-extended portion and standard are grasped by the hand, thereby to control the supply of air.

15. In an air brush, a frame bearing the sprayingnozzles, a support for said frame, a liquid regulating valve on said support, said frame arranged to be removably connected with said-support.

16. In an air brush, a frame bearing the.

spraying nozzles, a support for said frame, a liquid regulating valve on said support,

said frame arranged to be removably connected with said support. Y

17. In an-"air brush, a liquid nozzle, a air nozzle in normally fixed adjustment with the liquid nozzle, a support for said nozzles, a liquid regulating valve on said support, said nozzles being arranged to be a moved to adjust said liquid nozzle with reair nozzle, a support for said nozzles, and

a liquid regulating valve on said support, said liquid nozzle being arranged to be moved with respect to said valve to vary the flow of liquid from said nozzle and normally adjusted away from said valve for the 10 maximum liquid flow.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing 'witnesses.

STEPHEN J. HEINRICH.

WVitnesses:

B. J. NOYES, H. B. DAVIS. 

